Pope warns that rising populism could produce a new Hitler

“Pope Francis has warned against growing populism in Europe, saying such movements could result in the election leaders of like Germany’s Adolf Hitler,” NBC News is reporting.

“‘In times of crisis, we lack judgment, and that is a constant reference for me,’ the pontiff said in an in-depth interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais. ‘The most obvious example of European populism is Germany in 1933. After the crisis of 1930, Germany is broken, it needs to get up, to find its identity, a leader, someone capable of restoring its character, and there is a young man named Adolf Hitler.’

‘Hitler didn’t steal the power, his people voted for him, and then he destroyed his people,’ the pope added.

“Pope Francis’ warnings come as a wave of populism washes over Europe, and as voters angry with traditional political elites throw their weight behind nationalist, anti-immigrant leaders.

“During the same interview, the pope said he was reserving judgement on President Donald Trump.

“‘I don’t like to get ahead of myself nor judge people prematurely. We will see how he acts, what he does, and then I will have an opinion,’ he said.”

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Author: jeffpelline

Jeff Pelline is a veteran editor and award-winning journalist - in print and online. He is publisher of Sierra FoodWineArt magazine and its website SierraCulture.com. Jeff covered business and technology for The San Francisco Chronicle for years, was a founding editor and Editor of CNET News, and was Editor of The Union, a 145-year-old newspaper in Grass Valley. Jeff has a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley and a master's from Northwestern University. His hobbies include sailing and trout fishing.
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One thought on “Pope warns that rising populism could produce a new Hitler”

During a Feb. 24, 1940 radio broadcast, Hitler promised to “make Germany great again.”

“If you win, you need not have to explain.” Hitler .. Perhaps this is why trump has backed off his ‘promise’ to reveal his income taxes.

“It is not truth that matters, but victory.” Hitler .. trump’s political strategy?

“Success is the sole earthly judge of right and wrong.” HItler ….. Is this why voters ignored trump’s history of racism, misogyny, and lies… and focused on the business success that he achieved by taking the multi-million dollar stash his daddy gave him and parlaying it into a few billion (according to trump) and in the process screwing over the same working people (contractors, employees, business partners, etc.) who voted for him?

And for all those who will whine and invoke Godwin’s law..It’s dead and was never seriously in play anyway except as a flimsy excuse to limit free speech and avoid uncomfortable but valid comparisons.